Monday, Apr 29, 2013
Karachi: Pakistan’s three secular parties, which were allies in the previous government, on Monday said they were being desisted by terrorists from contesting the elections.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) and Awami National Party (ANP) jointly held a press conference at the Karachi Press Club to convey their fears, complaints and pledges.
“We condemn the coward attacks on the MQM, PPP and ANP workers, leaders and offices in the strongest words and pay homage to the departed souls of the martyrs of the three parties,” Haider Abbas Rizvi, an MQM leader, told the media.
He was referring to recent terrorist attacks on the rallies of the three parties in which dozens of their workers and activists were killed.
Rizvi said that 65 workers of his party alone were gunned down by terrorists since March 1. However, the parties refused to surrender to such tactics.
“We all vow to not surrender to these religious extremists and terrorism,” Rizvi said.
He warned the national and international establishment that they should not repeat the mistakes of the past by empowering extremist elements to play a leading role in the region.
Taj Haider, a PPP leader, said that the terrorist groups attacking secular parties were the militant wings of right-wing parties. Haider blamed the caretaker government of siding with right-wing political parties in defiance of its mandate.
He accused the administration of targeting the offices of PPP, ANP and MQM and arresting their workers, instead of cracking down on militants operating freely in the city.
Haider called upon international organisations to take notice of how progressive and secular parties were being persecuted.
The PPP leader pledged that his party along with the MQM and ANP would take part in the elections, despite all impediments and hurdles.
Bashir Jan, an ANP leader, who survived a bomb attack a few days ago, said that the Election Commission was not able to implement its rules as right-wing parties were flouting them. He said that only specific parties and provinces were being allowed to take part in the elections.
By Mohammad Ashraf Correspondent
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
